Jackie's South Bay Weekend Guide

Memorial Day Weekend is finally here and you know what that means - beach time, barbeques and bathing suits….but let’s not forget the purpose of this federal holiday. I’ve posted a list of Military Memorial Sites located throughout the South Bay on my website, so take a moment to stop by one of them this weekend and honor our country’s fallen warriors. You can view the list here: http://southbaybyjackie.com/south-bay-military-memorial-sites/.

The third annual Celebration of the Sea will be held on Saturday, May 25 beginning at 3 p.m. at the Port Royal Yacht Club in Redondo Beach. The event celebrates the wonders of the ocean with a seafood feast, underwater videos from around the world and a chance to meet and mingle with other ocean-centric individuals. This year’s feast will feature a seafood cioppino prepared by South Bay local and world-class gourmand, Chef Robert Bell of Chez Melange. The videos this year will feature shark diving on the Island of Moorea in French Polynesia, diving on New Zealand’s Arapawa Island and the story of the Rainbow Warrior from New Zealand’s Bay of Islands. The Rainbow Warrior has recently been named one of the top 10 dives in the world. Proceeds from the event will be used to help fund the education of future marine scientists – the Marine Biology Club of Animo High School will be going to the USC Marine Science Center on Catalina Island for research and marine studies in June of this year. It’s a great opportunity to give back to the community and help make sure that the wondrous oceans are preserved and cared for in the future. The price of admission is $15 per person. If you’d like to sponsor a student to attend the event, $30. If you plan on attending, please RSVP by e-mail to lobsterdon@earthlink.net. For additional information and other ways you can help, visit the website at http://www.city2sea.org/donate.htm.  Port Royal Marina is located at 555 North Harbor Drive in Redondo Beach.

The Norris Center for the Performing Arts presents Broadway’s Finest, a concert featuring three Broadway legends, on Saturday, May 25. The performance stars ‘Phantom of the Opera’ star Dale Kristien, Tony Award-winning actress Donna McKechnie, who originated the role of Cassie in ‘A Chorus Line’ and Bill Hutton, star of Broadway’s ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’. Backed by a live orchestra, this show is sure to please the most discriminating Broadway fan. There will be two performances only, a matinee at 3 p.m. and another at 8 p.m. Tickets are $42 for adults and $25 for children twelve and under. For additional information and to purchase tickets, call 310-544-0403 or visit the website at www.norriscenter.com.  The Norris Theatre is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula at 27570 Norris Center Drive in Rolling Hills Estates.

Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer and here in the South Bay there’s only one way to kick-off beach season! The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to present Fiesta Hermosa which takes place from Saturday, May 25 through Monday, May 27 in downtown Hermosa Beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The largest arts & crafts fair in Southern California, the event features over 300 artists including painters, photographers, ceramicists, jewelers and sculptors. People flock to Fiesta Hermosa each year not only for the arts and crafts but for the food and music! They have two stages featuring live music that will keep you on your feet so be sure to wear your dancin’ shoes. The Food Court offers an abundance of dining options and the always popular Charity Beer & Wine Garden features a selection of beer, wine and icy coolers served by local ‘celebrities’, including the mayor, city councilmen and non-profit organizations. It’s time to kick-off the summer season! For more information, visit the website at http://fiestahermosa.net/.

The Hermosa Beach Firefighters Foundation presents the 17th Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, May 26 from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Fire Station. This is a family friendly event and children of all ages are invited to join Hermosa Beach firefighters, paramedics and EMTs as they whip up their world-famous pancakes to benefit South Bay charitable organizations. Eat breakfast in the firehouse, mix and mingle with the firefighters, sit in the fire trucks and have photos taken with Sparky the Fire Dog! The event also features a silent auction, raffle and entertainment. Raffle tickets are $5 each with the raffle items valued between $300 and $1,500. Breakfast doesn’t get any hotter than this! To purchase tickets, visit the website at http://hbfirefighters.org/events. The Hermosa Beach Fire Station is located at 540 Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach.

The Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial Task Force, the Redondo Beach Elks Lodge # 1378 and the City of Redondo Beach are sponsoring a Memorial Day Observance in Veterans Park at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 27. The solemn observance is open to the public will include reflection and remembrance, music and commentary and will honor those members of the armed forces who paid the ultimate sacrifice in our nation’s wars. The Keynote Speaker is Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi of the 66th District. Other speakers include local elected officials and military dignitaries. Participants include the Redondo Union High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC and the Boy Scouts. Music will be provided by the Redondo High School Band and the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Band. The service will be followed by a BBQ picnic sponsored by the Redondo Elks in the Elks parking lot south of the Lodge next to the Park. The BBQ is free for all veterans and members of the military. A $5 donation is suggested for all others guests. Contact the Elks Lodge at 208-473-6626 to RSVP. For more information, contact Herb Masi at 310-993-4637 or by email at hcmasi@yahoo.com or visit the website at www.RBVeteransMemorial.com. Veterans Park is located at 309 The Esplanade in Redondo Beach at the corner of Torrance Boulevard and Catalina Avenue.

It’s never too early to begin planning for your financial future and you’ll want experienced professionals with a proven track record and flawless reputation on your team. Brigante, Cameron, Watters & Strong, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, is the largest full-service accounting firm in the South Bay.  BCWS is dedicated to providing professional services of the highest quality and is offering a special promotion for our audience. Mention The South Bay Show or South Bay by Jackie and receive a 10% discount on tax services (new clients only). Give them a call at 310-542-0011 or visit the website at www.bcws.com. April 15 may have come and gone but there’s always next year! 

As always, check the calendar links and ‘Things to Do’ page on my website, www.southbaybyjackie.com, for details on these and other events throughout the South Bay.

On The South Bay Show this morning, our guest was Matt Bennett. Matt is the Communications and Special Events Manager for the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and he told us all about Fiesta Hermosa happening this weekend! Don’t worry, if you missed the show, you can listen to it here: http://southbaybyjackie.com/may-23-2013-matt-bennett-fiesta-hermosa/. 

 Have a great South Bay Weekend!

Jackie
www.southbaybyjackie.com